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The Week in Review: March 18-22

Highlights from The Denver Post's opinion pages and The Idea Log blog.

Posted:
03/22/2013 12:07:44 PM MDT

Updated:
03/22/2013 12:07:51 PM MDT

Monday

Redundant state law on immigrant status checks

In an editorial, we wrote: Repeal of a 2006 state law requiring local police to report suspected illegal immigrants to federal authorities would be a positive change in what has become a new environment. Six years ago, there was no Secure Communities, the federal deportation program that requires everyone who is arrested in the U.S. to undergo a legal status check. It targets criminals for deportation. But back in 2006, out of frustration over the lack of federal action, Colorado lawmakers passed a measure that was intended to limit the discretion of local officials in setting policies that created "sanctuary cities." Senate Bill 90 required police who have probable cause to believe an arrestee did not have legal status to report the person to immigration authorities. With the advent of Secure Communities, it's no longer necessary.

Tuesday

DPS drama ends with solid choice for school board

In an editorial, we wrote: A school board member resigns and a replacement must be found. It's a common enough occurrence in school districts across the state. But even the most prosaic procedure can turn into a contentious spectacle on the Denver school board — as witnessed the past two months since the resignation of Nate Easley and the search for a replacement. Fortunately, the board's latest mini-drama ended Monday — and ended well — when president Mary Seawell chose Landri Taylor to represent northeast District 4 for the remainder of Easley's term, which concludes this year. Taylor is a solid choice, as he is intimately acquainted with northeast Denver and with school district issues, and will be able to contribute immediately.

Advertisement

Good news on Colorado's revenue forecast

In a post on The Idea Log, we wrote: Monday's revelation that state revenues continue to grow provides some welcome news after years of cutbacks during the Great Recession. But even with the apparent comeback in revenues, Coloradans and their leaders must remain mindful that the state's long-term structural budget problem — that is, the state's inability going forward to provide the same level of services it now provides — still remain unsolved.

Wednesday

Denver area's water utilities need your help

In an editorial, we wrote: The numbers don't look good and haven't for some time. Reservoir levels are down and so are stream flows. Snowpack isn't much better than in February. It is with this in mind that area water providers are positioning themselves to restrict lawn watering to twice a week and call upon residents to be stingy about how they use the precious resource. We hope everyone is listening.

Casualties of war: Ten years after invasion of Iraq

In a column, Trudy Rubin wrote: Ten years after the invasion of Iraq, it's clear who lost the war that followed. But it may be years before we know if anyone won. Topping the loser's columns, of course, is Saddam Hussein, with the world better for it. Yet, despite his demise, America is also the loser. The goals the Bush administration set for the war were never achievable, and the costs were greater than most Americans realize, not just in lives and money squandered but in reputation lost.

Thursday

Governor should get behind death penalty repeal

In an editorial, we wrote: Anyone who witnessed the House Judiciary Committee's marathon hearing Tuesday on a bill to ban the death penalty in Colorado could appreciate the passionate arguments on each side of the issue. But we hope Gov. John Hickenlooper, who still has not taken a position, sides with supporters of House Bill 1264, which would abolish capital punishment in Colorado.

There are many reasoned arguments against the death penalty, not the least of which is its uneven application. Similarly brutal murders can result in very dissimilar punishments, with a death sentence dependent more on where the killing took place than the details of the crime. But even without that troubling flaw, one argument stands immovable: There is no way to write the law to guarantee an innocent person is never executed.

Slain corrections chief Tom Clements will be missed

In an editorial, we wrote: Opinion seems unanimous: Colorado corrections chief Tom Clements, who was killed at his home Tuesday evening, was a dedicated public servant who treated others, no matter their status, with kindness and respect. He was an all-around good guy who will be greatly missed by colleagues and friends alike. State Agriculture Secretary John Salazar recalled Clements as "one of the finest, kindest, most generous people I've ever met. He was the salt of the earth." At his press conference Wednesday, Hickenlooper recounted how Clements "first turned us down and was going to go to another state and then upon reflection came to Colorado. And we are so grateful for the time he gave us."

Friday

Enact a federal sales tax for online purchases

In an editorial, we wrote: There's a big push under way to get the U.S. Senate to add an online sales tax measure to a budget bill being debated in Washington. We think it's a good idea. We have long supported a federal mechanism enabling states to be able to collect sales tax that already is due but virtually no one pays.

Missy Franklin, Jenny Simpson, Adeline Gray and three other Colorado women could be big players at the 2016 Rio OlympicsWhen people ask Missy Franklin for her thoughts about the Summer Olympics that will begin a year from Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro, she hangs a warning label on her answer.